Why Brambles, Lifestyle Communities, Northern Star, and Select Harvests shares are sinking

Apr 22,2024
Why Brambles, Lifestyle Communities, Northern Star, and Select Harvests shares are sinking

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another positive session on Tuesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.45% to 7,682.9 points.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here's why they are falling:

The Brambles share price is down 5% to $14.80. This has been driven by the release of the logistics solutions company's quarterly update. Brambles revealed that its sales revenue from continuing operations was US$4,872.3 million for the first nine months of FY 2024. This represents an increase of 9% (7% in constant currency) over the prior corresponding period. While this is a decent result on paper, it is a slowdown from its first-half growth rate. It also means that the company is no longer on track to hit the top end of its guidance range.

The Lifestyle Communities share price is down 14% to $12.27. Investors have been selling this retirement communities company's shares after it downgraded its settlements guidance for FY 2024. Lifestyle Communities advised that beachside and northwest Melbourne locations have been slower to settle than predicted. As a result, it now estimates settlements to be in the range of 290 to 310. This compares to its previous guidance of approximately 350.

The Northern Star share price is down almost 5% to $14.57. A pullback in the gold price and the release of a softer-than-expected quarterly update are to blame for this decline. In respect to the latter, Northern Star sold a total of 401,000 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of A$1,844 (US$1,213) per ounce. This was short of expectations, with the consensus estimate of 424,000 ounces for the three months. In addition, the market was forecasting a lower AISC of A$1,768 an ounce for the quarter.

The Select Harvests share price is down 10% to $3.68. This has been driven by the release of a business update from the almond producer. Although there were positives from the update, investors appear concerned with its comments on pricing. It said: "Since October 2023 we saw consistent market price strength, however spot market prices have softened recently following the 2024 US almond bloom, completed in generally positive conditions." The company also advised that its chief financial officer would be stepping down at the end of July.